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PARK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
505 BUTLER PLACE
PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS 60068
847-318-5202
https://www.parkridge.us

Updated: June 16, 2025

Position Title: Firefighter/Paramedic
Salary Information: $85,536 starting salary with a top salary of $120,029 (These salary amounts are from 2024. The 2025 salary range will be updated when current contract negotiations are completed.)
Benefit Information:

PPO/HMO – 13% premium paid by employee
Dental – 13% premium paid by employee
Group vision insurance option
FSA, health and dependent care options
Life insurance – premiums paid 100% by City
Longevity pay
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500/year
Pension plan
Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) option
Deferred compensation and Roth plan options
17 vacation days in your first year and up to 24 days based on years of service.
6 sick days per year
EAP services are free and confidential
Department Application Due Date: July 11, 2025

*PHQ is required

Candidate Contact Person
Cynthia Lopez
Human Resources Generalist
847.318.5202
clopez@parkridge.us

Department Overview

The Park Ridge Fire Department is a mission-driven organization committed to providing excellent emergency response and fire prevention services to its residents and those who visit. The Department provides fire, EMS, and special operations emergency response services to the City of Park Ridge and to surrounding communities through mutual aid agreements and is a member of MABAS Division 3. The Department responds to nearly 6,000 calls annually out two stations. The Department employs 52 fulltime members (51 are sworn). PRFD staffs a minimum of two ALS-equipped suppression companies, two ALS ambulances, and a shift commander each day working a 24/48 schedule.

The Park Ridge Fire Department currently has four (4) vacancies we are looking to fill immediately with additional vacancies anticipated later this year due to retirements. We are looking to move quickly after the application period ends to process candidates and we anticipate conditional offers going out in mid-August.

City/County/Area Information

Park Ridge is a suburb along the northwest side of Chicago in Cook County covering 7.1 square miles.

Population: 40,000

Job Requirements

Age: 21-35
US Citizen: Required
High School Grad/GED: Required
Valid State Driver’s License: Required – Illinois
Ability to Read/Speak English: Required
Vision: 20/20
College: Not required, but will increase preference points
Academy Certification: Not required, but will increase preference points
Prior Experience: None
Necessary Certifications:

State of Illinois EMT/Paramedic Licensure at time of conditional offer. (Applicants can be enrolled in paramedic school at time of application.)
Successful CPAT and ladder climb exercise completion within previous 12 months from the date of close of applications.

Additional Requirements

Candidate will need to provide State of Illinois paramedic licensure or proof of enrollement in a paramedic program at the time of application. Candidate will need to provide State of Illinois paramedic licensure at the time a conditional offer is extended to the candidate. Paramedics in good standing with full privileges in the Lutheran General Hospital EMS system is not required but increases preference points.
Proof of Basic Operations Firefighter Certification or equivalent, not required but increases preference points
Proof of miliary service active duty/inactive/reserve duty, including DD214 or other discharge papers, not required but increases preference points

Hiring Process

Background check
Pre-background meeting with Fire Department and City of Park Ridge HR staff
Polygraph
Interview with Board of Fire and Police Commission
Post-offer drug screening
Post-offer physical and stress test
Post-offer psychological testing

Preference Points

Qualified applicants who provide proof of the following documents at time of application will receive preference points as described below. The maximum amount cannot exceed thirty (30) points.

(a) Veteran’s Points. Candidates engaged in the military service of the United States
for a period of at least one year of active duty and who were honorably discharged
therefrom, or who are now or have been members on inactive or reserve duty: 5
preference points.
(b) Residency within the City (e.g., proof of voter registration, lease, home ownership).
3 preference points.
(c) Education. A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in fire science studies: 5
preference points; a bachelor’s degree: 3 preference points; an associates degree
with a concentration in fire science studies: 2 preference points (the degree must be
from an accredited college or university listed in the United States Department of
Education database).
(d) Experience:
(i) Paramedic. A paramedic in good standing that possesses full privileges with
the Fire Department’s emergency medical service system: 5 preference
points.
(ii) OSFM Certification (NIPSTA or Romeoville Academy). Office of the
Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Basic Operations (BOF) certification
and a current OSFM Hazardous Materials Operations certification obtained
from the NIPSTA Fire Academy or Romeoville Fire Academy: 5 preference
points.
(iii) OSFM Certification (Other Academy). Office of the Illinois State Fire
Marshal (OSFM) Basic Operations (BOF) certification and a current OSFM
Hazardous Materials Operations certification obtained from an academy
other than the NIPSTA Fire Academy or Romeoville Fire Academy: 2
preference points.
4. Calculation of Points. Veteran’s preference points and education preference points
awarded under these Rules shall not be cumulative.

Schedule/Training/On The Job Demands

All members are required to earn EMT-P privileges in the Advocate Lutheran General EMS System upon hire, attend a regional fire academy (if necessary) earning several OSFM certifications (Basic Operations Firefighter, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, and Hazardous Materials Operations), satisfactorily complete a year-long probationary training program, and achieve good results on probationary performance evaluations. Upon completion of initial training, members will be assigned to a 24/48 schedule where they will be expected to work as a productive team member with other shift personnel. Emergency response is the priority of shift personnel followed by readiness, training, and routine facility maintenance. Demands of the job include high stress scenarios that may place personnel in IDLH environments. Honesty, integrity, commitment, and pride are core principles the Department values as are character and teamwork.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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